Studying at the University of Gothenburg
The University is large and can feel overwhelming at first. This page gives you an overview of how it works – so you know where you belong and what applies to you.
Your department
The University of Gothenburg is a decentralised organisation. This means your department – not the University centrally – is responsible for your education. Your schedule, administration and certain rules are all handled there.
Your department is where you turn with questions about courses, examinations and study-related decisions.
Find your department: Log in to the Student Portal and go to My page. If you are on a program, different departments may be responsible for different courses – always check who is responsible for the course you are currently taking.
Academic calendar
There are two semesters per year – autumn semester and spring semester. Each semester is divided into four quarters.
There are no official holidays during the semesters, apart from public holidays. Most programs and courses do, however, have teaching-free periods around Christmas, New Year and Easter – check your schedule.
See current semester dates or read more about schedules
Study administration
Each semester you register for your courses and sign up for examinations – make sure to do this on time, or you may lose your place.
During your studies you may also need to apply for courses within your program, apply for a leave of absence or credit transfer, or obtain a certificate of enrolment.
You will find most of what you need under Your studies.
Studying at the University
At university, you typically study one or two courses at a time rather than many subjects simultaneously. Each course has its own structure, schedule and examination.
Your studies combine taught instruction with independent study and conclude with one or more examinations – the teaching formats you encounter will depend on your course and program.
Teaching formats
Lecture
Normally optional, but often essential for understanding the course literature. Take notes – they will be useful when preparing for your examination.
Seminar
Usually compulsory. You are expected to have prepared and to participate actively with your thoughts and analysis. Projects and essays are often presented in seminar form.
Laboratory session
Usually compulsory. You apply theory in a practical setting, typically in smaller groups. Always follow your teacher's instructions – some laboratory sessions involve chemicals or equipment that require care.
How students and teachers interact
At the University of Gothenburg, and in Sweden generally, the culture between students and teachers is informal and open. Teachers and academic staff are addressed by their first name. You are encouraged to ask questions and challenge ideas – in lectures, seminars and beyond.
Independent study
Independent study is all the time you spend studying outside scheduled teaching – course literature, exam preparation, group work. How you study best is personal, so try different approaches and find what works for you.
Need support along the way? These two guides are a good place to start:
Time commitment
How much time you need to dedicate to your studies depends on your course load, program requirements and your own prior knowledge. As a general guide, full-time studies require roughly the same number of hours per week as a full-time job.
Examinations and grades
Every course includes some form of examination – your results form the basis of your grade. The format varies; check the course syllabus for what applies to your course. The University of Gothenburg uses five different grading systems, with partial grades for individual components and a summary grade for the course as a whole.
Cheating during examinations is a serious offence that the University takes very seriously. It is your responsibility to know the rules before your first examination.
Student discounts
As a student you have access to a range of discounts – but you do not receive a discount card automatically when you start studying, and your GU-card does not give student discounts.
There are different student cards you can apply for. Student union members and students receiving study funding from CSN automatically receive the Mecenat card.